Armed and Dangerous, a Study in God's Armor for MenSample

Still Standing “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” – Ephesians 6:13 No half measure can ever produce the full effect. Previously we discussed what it means being all in, putting on every piece of God’s armor and walking with Christ in fullness. We also looked at how we can discern when our real enemy is at work, and which battles to pick. Today, our reading brings both these aspects together on the firm foundation of Christ, before dissecting the armor of God for us piece by piece. The only way we can truly stand strong in the battle against evil, is by standing in Christ as our foundation. No half measures. If you’ve ever watched the film Gladiator , you might recall a scene where Maximus speaks to senator Gracchus on bringing down Emperor Commodus’ futile reign. The general reminds the old statesman that, “The time for half measures and talk is over.” If they were to bring any change to the Empire, they would have to be fully committed to their cause, not just in principle, but also in practice. Likewise, if we as men of God want to stand strong and resist the wicked ways of the world around us, we need to know our enemy and be fully planted in the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. If we don’t intentionally submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance every day, we will indirectly start submitting to the enemy in times of evil. And there is no standing firm without having a solid foundation first. There is no complete resistance to evil without complete submission to God’s will. For instance, if we try to resist temptation simply because it’s the ‘right thing to do’, we eventually lose our motivation. But if we resist temptation because we are motivated by a greater cause or a deeper goodness, we focus on the outcome instead of the obstacle. When I know that I am running a race in six weeks from now, it is easier to get up early, hit the road for training, and say no to ice-cream the night before. When I am rock climbing high on the face of a mountain with friends, and I am the lead climber, I am extra careful with each grip, stretch and anchoring point, because I know if I fall that will also affect my fellow climbers who are roped in below me. The reality is that as a man, you are leading others. Whether you are the only influencer for Christ in your workplace, whether you are in a serious relationship with a girl, or whether you are married and have children. You are thus the God-appointed leader in all these spheres. And as a man, you are also not alone in your struggle against the devil. What you are facing in the battle against evil every day, and that which you are feeling in the seemingly endless struggles against the world, is equally common to every man who is devoted to God. Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, and you are not only responsible for yourself either. We often think of spiritual warfare as this supernatural event of casting out demons and chasing witches away from carnivals. This may be a part of it, but for most of us, the spiritual battles we need to fight has less to do with naming, claiming, and decreeing, and more to do with letting the Holy Spirit rule our minds and hearts through everyday living. If Jesus doesn’t sit firmly on the throne of our hearts, the world will be pulling down on the strings of our hearts until Kingdom come. Read 1 Peter 5:6-11 Check Your Armory: What does standing firm in Christ as your foundation mean to you? How can you practically put on the whole armor of God and humble yourself under God’s mighty power? Which struggles can you identify that’s common to all men who follow God? What do you need to pray for today?